Aiswariya (Ash) Alagu Sunder

• Teach high school Math and/or Science for 1:1 or 1:2 setting.
• Support students with problem-solving and concept understanding.
• Track student progress and provide feedback.

• Set up necessary solutions and equipment, ensuring readiness for lab activities prior to start time. Executed post-session clean-up of materials and equipment to maintain laboratory standards.
• Facilitates collaboration with math and science department head in organizing and optimizing laboratory environments
• oversees budget tracking spreadsheet.
• Maintains and updates all inventories, equipment maintenance & testing schedules, MSDS files, safety manuals, standard operating procedures (SOPs) for lab safety, fume hoods, etc. as required.
• Ensure all instrumentation is regularly maintained and in good order.
• Cooperatives with other lab technicians, conduct planning, ordering, and receiving all supplies (e.g., glassware, chemicals, instrumentation, etc.)
• Ensures correct storage /use of incompatible chemicals/materials in lab.
• Maintained laboratory equipment and ensured compliance with safety protocols.
• Assisted in preparation of chemical solutions and reagents for various tests.
• Documented experimental procedures and results accurately in lab notebooks.
• Trained new technicians on standard operating procedures and best practices.

• Prepare reagents, calibration and quality control standards, duplicates, and spikes.
• Instrument calibration, trouble shooting, and maintenance.
• Operation SKALAR robotics
• Preforming auto titration to assess water pH, Alkalinity, acidity, and Electroconductivity.
• Analyzing data and performing quality control on samples
• Organize workload to meet Turn Around Times (TAT’s) to meet production deadline.
• Calibration and use of pipettes.
• Ensure cleanliness and safety throughout work environment.
• Use correct methods in accordance with the established procedures and schedules while ensuring analytical quality.
• Observe established safety regulations and comply with all ALS health and safety policies and procedures.

Principal Investigator: Dr David Vocadlo, Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry and Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University

• Optimized cell culture conditions for improved experimental outcomes and greater reproducibility across studies.
• Optimized cell culture conditions for various cell lines, enabling more efficient experimentation and improved results.
• Performed rigorous experimental validation using standard techniques such as PCR, western blotting, and cell culture.
• Developed proficiency in various laboratory techniques such as PCR, chromatography, microscopy, and cell culture maintenance, leading to high-quality outcomes in research projects.
• Conducted literature reviews to support research projects and enhance understanding of key topics.
• Assisted in data collection and analysis using statistical software to ensure accuracy and reliability of findings.
• Collaborated with faculty on research design, contributing insights that improved project outcomes.
• Organized and maintained research materials, ensuring efficient access for team members and stakeholders.
• Maintained accurate records of experiments, results, and procedures in laboratory information management systems.
• Cleaned and sterilized tools and equipment to maximize purity of specimens.
• Operated basic laboratory equipment such as balances, pH meter, colorimeter, spectrophotometer, autoclave and evaporator.
• Maintained documentation on tests performed in lab.
• Kept laboratory supplies prepared by inventorying stock, placing orders and verifying receipt.
• Performed routine lab and department maintenance to keep area clean and orderly.
• Prepared reagents, media and solutions to use for laboratory testing and analysis.
• Maintained safe, tidy and organized laboratory environment for accurate test results.

Project: The Effect of Microgravity on Neuronal Cytoskeletal and Intracellular Trafficking

Principal Investigator: Dr Michael Silverman, Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University

• Maintained SH SY5Y cell lines.
• Plated and collected neuroblastoma cells.
• Prepared reagents and solutions for various molecular biology techniques, enhancing workflow efficiency.
• Demonstrated proficiency in a range of molecular biology techniques, including PCR, cloning, sequencing, RNA isolation, and qRT-PCR analysis.
• Utilized Immunohistochemistry to study mitochondrial patterns in cells.
• Optimized cell culture conditions for improved experimental outcomes and greater reproducibility across studies.
• Used the Image MiNA software to quantify mitochondrial branching.
• Developed proficiency in various laboratory techniques such as PCR, chromatography, microscopy, and cell culture maintenance, leading to high-quality outcomes in research projects.
• Streaked plates to grow colonies containing a specific plasmid.
• Performed numerous mini preps for plasmid isolation and quantification.
• Performed electrophoresis gel techniques and leveraged plasmid maps for effective plasmid analysis and identification.
• Transfected cells with plasmids to help with observing intracellular trafficking within a differentiated cell line.
• Conducted literature reviews to identify gaps in existing research and inform project direction.
• Collaborated with faculty on experimental design, ensuring alignment with research objectives.